Gareth Barry is unveiled as a Manchester City player
- 00:02:13
- ITN
Gareth Barry is unveiled as a Manchester City player
Gareth Barry has admitted he would never have left Aston Villa if they had qualified for next season's Champions League. For long spells of the campaign, Villa looked likely to get a top-four slot, only to fade dramatically as Arsenal reclaimed a Champions League qualifying-round place. Barry confirmed his £12 million move to Manchester City would not have gone through if Villa had been able to offer the incentive of a position at Europe's premier club competition as well as a massive new contract. "I was very honest about the Champions League and if Villa had qualified I would have been honourable enough to keep my word and stay," said the England midfielder. "It would have been wrong to leave if that had been achieved but it was something that did not happen." The 28-year-old says he now wants to help turn Manchester City from a mid-table club into title contenders. He said: "You have seen the type of players Manchester City are able to attract, like Robinho. "I think this club has got everything in place to achieve big things and challenge right at the top, to go from a mid-table team to a team challenging right at the top." Barry claimed it was the club's ambition that persuaded him to move to Eastlands. He added: "The club put a price on me and Manchester City have come in and paid the money really early on. "I spoke to the manager. I spent a bit of time thinking, spoke to friends and I am confident I have made the right decision. "I felt very wanted here. The ambition was the main thing for me."
ITN | June 11, 2009
